Arajuno (pronounced ''ar-a-HOO-no'') is a jungle community in the Ecuadorian rainforest. It is also a

Canton Canton may refer to: Administrative division terminology * Canton (administrative division), territorial/administrative division in some countries, notably Switzerland * Township (Canada), known as ''canton'' in Canadian French Arts and ent ...

(political subdivision) in the Pastaza Province. It is located on the Arajuno River, a tributary of the

Curaray The Curaray River (also called the Ewenguno River or Rio Curaray) is a river in eastern Ecuador and Peru. It is a tributary of the Napo River, which is a part of the Amazon basin. The land along the river is home to several indigenous people group ...

. The area is inhabited by Quichua Indians. Arajuno was built by the Shell Oil Company as a base to conduct prospecting in the area. The company employed many Quechuas to build an airstrip and buildings. Shell abandoned Arajuno in 1948 when the company decided to discontinue its prospecting in Ecuador. In the 1950s, Arajuno was used as a mission base by missionary

Ed McCully Theophilus McCully (June 1, 1927 – January 8, 1956) was a Christian missionary to Ecuador who, along with four other missionaries, was killed while attempting to evangelize the Huaorani people, through efforts known as Operation Auca. E ...

. The airstrip was needed because it was not until the late 20th century that Arajuno was accessible by road. The road to Arajuno remains a difficult ride, and it is common for people to seek other methods of transportation even today. Today, it is the location of the Arajuno Jungle Lodge, a privately owned and operated resort. The Arajuno Road Project also operates in the schools along the road to Arajuno, supplying educational and sporting equipment and offering volunteer opportunities to assist in enhance local education.

References

* .
Arajuno Jungle Lodge website
*

External links

*
Street in Arajuno

Arajuno River

Aerial view of the Arajuno RiverOpenStreetMap - Arajuno
Populated places in Pastaza Province {{Ecuador-geo-stub